Italy have finally tasted defeat and it’s their first on home soil this century in a 2-1 loss to Spain.

It was a frantic contest played out at a breathless tempo and Spain were impressive, reaching the UEFA Nations League final courtesy of two first-half goals by Manchester City’s Ferran Torres.

Italy’s sublime sequence of results, without defeat in 37 games stretching back more than three years and culminating at Wembley when they crushed English dreams to win Euro 2020 title, is over.

The damage was done in the first half when Ferran Torres converted two delicious Mikel Oyarzabal crosses either side of Leonardo Bonucci’s red card.

Spain controlled the second period yet a late Lorenzo Pellegrini goal set up a grandstand finish.

La Roja held on though, and will now face the winners of Belgium against France in Sunday’s final of the Nations League.

Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso said: “It’s great to bring Spain back to a final and would be great to win a trophy for the national team if we can.

“The truth is that I am extremely happy. To win against Italy, after such a long unbeaten run as they were on – I’m very pleased for the team.

“We were superior, we controlled the game, especially in the first half. Then we played a little more calmly and we had to suffer a little, but the victory is what counts.”

Italy boss Roberto Mancini said: “Football games are like this. Sometimes certain details can decide them.

“The first half could have ended 1-1 easily. Spain play very well technically, we should have been more careful in not conceding the second before the end of the half.

“It’s very difficult to face Spain’s ball possession with eleven players, so you can just imagine with ten.

“The lads did what they had to do, we needed some fresh legs and I made several substitutions which helped us in the second half.”